Visible signal spinner



Nov. 21, 1961 E G. GESSMANN VISIBLE SIGNAL SPINNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1958 INVENTOR. [DMU/VD 6: GfiS/MNM Aria/2N: X

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ATTORNE 4 United States Patent 3,009,273 VISIBLE SIGNAL SPINNER Edmund G. Gessmann, 4706 46th St., Woodside, N.Y. Filed Dec. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 778,242 Claims. (Cl. 40-39) This invention relates to signal apparatus and, more particularly, to a device for producing a visible signal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple but highly effective message relating device that may be used for various signalling, amusement, and novelty purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signal device having air flow responsive means that normally masks the message from view but which is actuated by the flow of air therethrough for enabling the message to be clearly understood.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a visible signal device of the type described that TN. includes a base plate upon which a visible message may be inscribed, a slotted disc overlying such message, and air flow responsive means associated with such disc for effecting rotation thereof to enable such message to be read.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a message relating device having integral fastening means for attaching it to an article of clothing, or the like, so that any message imprinted upon the base thereof may be clearly detected by other persons in response to rotation of the supported disc by air passing through vanes integral therewith.

A' more specific object of the present invention is to provide manually actuated air flow producing means for effecting rotation of such disc upon the base plate of the signal device to selectively expose such inscribed message whenever desired.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a signal device made in accordance with one form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of certain parts of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a disc forming a part of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 4a is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of certain parts of the disc shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the base plate shown in FIG. 3 with the other parts removed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse crosssectional view taken along line -7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the parts in an actuated condition.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a modified form of construction.

FIG. 111 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the base plate of the assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. '13 is a rear elevational view of the base plate shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the Patented Nov. 21, 1961 "ice components of the assembly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of 'FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 10.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 9 thereof, signal apparatus 20 made in accordance with one form of the present invention is shown to include a main base plate 22 having a front face upon which a message 23 may be inscribed in any desired manner, such as with crayon, pen, or the like. A plurality of rearwardly struck out and downwardly opening hooks 24 secure the base portion 26 of a pin 27 to the base plate for the purpose of supporting the device upon any object, such as an article of clothing. The base portion 26 of the pin includes laterally extending loops 29 that prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis, so as to maintain the pin in the proper position at all times.

A spindle 31 integral with the main base plate 22 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the face side there- I of and is rotatably received within the bore 32 of a central bearing 33 of a rotatable disc 34. A tapered shoulder portion 35 maintains the disc in outwardly spaced relationship with the face of the base plate so as to provide for the free rotation thereof at all times. This disc is maintained in supported relationship upon the spindle 31 by means of a knob 38 having a central sleeve 37 that frictionally receives the outer end of the spindle 31 therein. It will thus be recognized that the knob 38 may be removed at any time so as to permit removal of the disc 34 from the main base plate, so that any new or additional message may be inscribed upon the face of the base plate, as may be desired.

A duct 40 integral with the main base plate 22 and having a central bore 41 directs air outwardly through an angularly related port 28 adjacent to the periphery of the main base plate 22. This port 48 is directed toward the concave side of radially outwardly extending arcuate vanes 46 that are circumferentially spaced apart intermediate adjacent radially extending slots 47. It will be noted that the vanes 46 extend to and are integral with a rim 45 of the disc 34 so as to define pockets against which air directed thereagainst reacts. While any desired source of pressurized air may be used to create air flow through the port 48 for effecting rotation of the disc 34, a hollow collapsible bulb 44 having a conduit 43 connected to the duct 40 may be used conveniently for this purpose.

The operation of this device will now be readily understood. Any message may be inscribed upon the face side of the main base plate 22, following which the disc 34 and knob 38 are placed in their proper assembled position. The vanes 46 and other portions of the disc 34 effectively mask the message 23 until such disc is rotated at a sufficient speed to enable the message to become visible through the intermediate slots 47. By actuating the bulb 44, the operator can selectively expose such message to the view of any one or more persons. Also, by removing the knob 38 such message can be changed at any time.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 through 16 of the drawing that illustrate a slightly modified form of construction in which the device 50 includes a main base plate 52 having a rearwardly struck out and downwardly opening hook 54 that secures the base portion 56 of the pin 57 with the laterally extending loops 59 in the proper position. Rearwardly extending lugs 58 on opposite sides of the base 56 of the pin further steady and position the pin so as to be readily attachable to an article of clothing, or the like, at any time. This main base plate 52 also includes a spindle 61 that extends perpendicularly outwardly from the face side of the main base 52 that carries the message. As is clearly shown in FIG. 14 of the drawing, the spindle 61 is rotatably received within the central bore 62 of the bearing 63 of a disc 64. A tapered shoulder portion 65 maintains the disc in slightly spaced relationship with the face side of the base plate 52 so as to provide for the free rotation of the disc at all times. All of these parts are maintained in properly assembled relationship by means of a removable knob 68 having a central bore 67 that frictionally receives the outer end of the spindle 61 to removably secure the disc in assembled relationship with the main base plate 52. As a result, the disc 64 may be removed at any desired time to inscribe a new or different message upon the face of the base plate 52.

The disc 64 of the present embodiment includes an annular rim 70, radially extending spokes 71, intermediate slots 74, and inclined vanes 73. All of the vanes 73 are inclined in substantially the same direction relative to the plane of the disc 64, whereby air directed against the front side of the disc from substantially any direction effects rotation of the disc about the spindle 61, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 16. Such air may be supplied by the wind, another person facing the signalling device, or the person wearing it. As the disc spins, the message carried upon the face side of the base plate becomes visible through the slots 74 of the disc, in a manner hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated in both of the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, the parts can be constructed of any desired material. However, such parts are preferably constructed of molded plastic material, as such is relatively inexpensive, of light weight, attractive and colorful, and easily mass produced. By manufacturing these units in different sizes, such can be effectively used for display, amusement, and educational purposes, as Well as for selectively transmitting inscribed messages for any purpose.

While this invention has been described With particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A message relating device comprising, in combination, a base plate, one side of said base plate defining a message carrying surface, fastening means carried by the opposite side of said base plate, a disc, bearing means integral with said base plate rotatably supporting said disc in spaced apart relationship with one side of said base plate, said disc having an integral peripheral rim therearound extending substantially perpendicularly from its surface toward said one side of said base plate and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart arcuate openings extending through said disc and a plurality of airflow responsive arcuate vanes integral with and extending inwardly from. said peripheral rim, said vanes being circumferentially spaced apart intermediate said openings so as to define pockets against which air directed thereagainst reacts, said main base plate having a duct for directing air outwardly through an angularly related port adjacent to the periphery of the main base plate, said port being directed toward the concave side of said inwardly extending arcuate vanes for effecting rotation of said disc upon said bearing means relative to said base plate to render a message carried by said base plate readable in response to rotation of said slots relative thereto.

2. A message relating device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bearing means comprises a spnidle integral at one end with and extending perpendicularly outwardly from said base plate, said disc having a central bearing portion defining an axial bore rotatably receiving said spindle, and securement means maintaining said disc upon said spindle.

3. A message relating device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securement means comprises a knob releasably secured upon the opposite end of said spindle in abutting relationship with said disc, said knob and said disc being selectively removable from said spindle of said base plate for inscribing a message upon said one side of said base plate.

4. A message relating device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a duct carried by said base plate adjacent to the periphery thereof, said duct having coupling means at one end for connection to a source of pressurized air, and the opposite end of said duct defining a port opening toward said vanes of said disc.

5. A message relating device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the longitudinal axis of said port defines an acute angle with said base plate and said disc.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 240,441 Meyer Apr. 19, 1881 1,072,821 Carswell Sept. 9, 1913 1,082,679 Connor Dec. 30, 1913 1,782,555 Weinstein Nov. 25, 1930 1,804,6l7 Horwath May 12, 1931 2,158,902 Gray May 16, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 32,387 Canada Sept. 26, 1889 

